long hair cat's fur matting

**Biciclista** · 06-19-2009, 01:08 PM

brush the cat now when she doesn't need it. be very careful and watch her body language. the minute she doesn't like it anymore;stop. try to stop while she's still enjoying it. Treats should follow a good brush session.
if she attacks you, even if she's right (because you pulled her hair), tell her no, but don't be harsh. When she's 10 or 12, at least then she won't have a bad attitude.

**redrhodie** · 06-24-2009, 04:51 AM

I was hoping the grooming spray would be the answer, but it's not solving the problem. I have managed to get him mat free due to daily brushing, combing, and cutting, but every morning, I go on mat patrol, and there's always at least one new one lurking deep.

Maybe the spray is helping the brush get down deeper into his coat, but it's not helping break up the mat once it's formed. Since I can't give it a good review, I won't mention the brand. It also makes him smell really pretty, which I hate. His natural scent is unoffensive, and I'm missing that. I can smell him coming now. He smells like a lady coming from the beauty parlor. He hates it, too. He makes the face when he sees the bottle. Poor little guy.

**BleeckerSt_Girl** · 06-24-2009, 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by redrhodie

Maybe the spray is helping the brush get down deeper into his coat, but it's not helping break up the mat once it's formed. Since I can't give it a good review, I won't mention the brand. It also makes him smell really pretty, which I hate. His natural scent is unoffensive, and I'm missing that. I can smell him coming now. He smells like a lady coming from the beauty parlor. He hates it, too. He makes the face when he sees the bottle. Poor little guy.

Ewww!!

I think the quick daily combing here and there does more than anything to prevent the mats from forming. I think you just had a lot of catching up to do and if you do a little every day it will only get better and better. Don't forget you are still brushing out lots of hairs that are already shed (maybe that were shed long ago even) but are just hanging around deep in his fur. Once you get caught up on that there will be less tendency to knot next to the skin. At least that's what i found with mine over the years.

**RolliePollie** · 06-27-2009, 09:16 PM

My friends just had a groomer shave their medium/long haired kitty because of mats. He looks really funny because they left his head and tail unshaved, but he seems much happier. Plus I bet he'll be a lot cooler for summer. And have fewer hairballs. Someday I'm sure I'll have to do this with my long haired cat too.

**smilingcat** · 06-27-2009, 11:29 PM

Originally Posted by RolliePollie

My friends just had a groomer shave their medium/long haired kitty because of mats. He looks really funny because they left his head and tail unshaved, but he seems much happier. Plus I bet he'll be a lot cooler for summer. And have fewer hairballs. Someday I'm sure I'll have to do this with my long haired cat too.

A lion cut. How cute. Just make sure the kitty stays out of the sun. Else he might get sun burned.

We use a special brush called the furminator (deshedding brush). It really works. But again, if the fur is matted, the brush will pull on the mat so you have to becareful. The other downside is that this brush is pricey. around $30.00 for the small one. We use the same brush on our two big dogs and they love it.

**lisathew8lifter** · 06-28-2009, 03:38 PM

I have persian cats and the ONLY Thing that i would suggest with your maine coon is this:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=18687

it took me many years and several cats to figure it out but this is quite honestly the only tool to groom a long haired cat.

**tctrek** · 06-28-2009, 03:44 PM

I used to breed Persians... they would mat when they were "dropping" their coat once or twice a year. I have grooming clippers and gave them a cool lion clip -- left their ruff and a pom-pom on the end of their tail. They would run around like kittens when they got that cut. I think it was a big relief to them.

**redrhodie** · 06-29-2009, 05:22 AM

Thanks for the new suggestions! lisalifter, I'm going to give that a try.

**redrhodie** · 07-31-2009, 04:56 AM

Update: We've got it under control! When I took him for his rabies shot, I asked the vet what she recommends, and she told me about this:

http://www.furminatorcat.com/

I had to think twice about buying it because it was really expensive, but since getting it, he hasn't had a mat. It's a little scary reading the warnings that come with it, but luckily he loves it, and is reacting well to it (I read reviews, and not all cats do). I haven't had as much fur on my clothes or rugs either. I'm still brushing him daily with his regular brush since the furminator doesn't remove existing mats, but it's really made a huge difference in preventing new ones.

**Biciclista** · 07-31-2009, 07:05 AM

what are the scary warnings?

**redrhodie** · 07-31-2009, 07:13 AM

It can cause brush burn, and should be used near sensitive areas. It shouldn't be used on tangled or matted fur, or on bruised or sore skin. I guess it's not that scary, but I was a little afraid to use it deeply enough the first time.

Last night I brushed off a kitten of fur. He's half the size now!

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